I came across some fantastically photogenic people in Oman: this guy was no exception.
On a technical note: this was an interesting shot to process because there were numerous ways to convert the image to black and white, all of which produced interesting results. In this instance I used two channel mixer layers, one to convert the bucket to black and white (biased towards the red channel to make the bucket darker) and the other to convert the guy and his blue uniform. This second layer was biased towards the blue channel, which a) really brought out the detail in his face and skin, and b) made his uniform very bright. Anyway, I'm waffling, but if you're interested in this technique take a look at either of my black and white tutorials (info about part one here, part two here).
And as always, let me know what you think.
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter image editor plugins (etc) cropped?
comment by Simon Jenkins at 05:32 PM (GMT) on 8 December, 2010
Excellent conversion, the subject really pops with the light background, I really like the light in on his clothes also.
comment byDan Kaufman at 07:43 PM (GMT) on 8 December, 2010
Excellent B/W conversion. And I too often employ the multiple layered Channel Mixer procedure (biased to enhance different elements in the image) which I learned from the very same Chromasia Tutorials mentioned above. Highly recommended !!
comment byCarlos Garcia at 10:18 PM (GMT) on 8 December, 2010
I can't believe how much more detail emerges from his countenance with your processing. Nice. Why did you leave the mop/broom handle? Seems a bit distracting. Just curious.
comment by crex at 11:22 PM (GMT) on 8 December, 2010
Very good portrait.
comment bydjn1 at 05:36 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
Thanks everyone.
Dan: yep, it's a good technique :)
Carlos: a) because it added context, and b) because reconstructing his right foot would have taken too long ;)
comment byPau Blasi at 07:44 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
Excellent result with the multiple Channel Mixer procedure. Is it "true" BW? or has little toning? Anyway, besides technique, the key of this shot is the amazing look of the guy. congrats!
comment bydjn1 at 07:50 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
Thanks Paul, and it's a true black and white.
comment bymartin at 09:02 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
I think you have captured a very good portrait, my only criticism would be the mop handle, I would have moved it, it could have been placed strategically so you would still have the context you wished without it encroaching on the subject.
comment bydjn1 at 09:08 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
Martin: you're probably right, but the problem with shooting people who aren't used to being photographed is that the longer you take and the more you manipulate the scene the more uncomfortable they become. As such I doubt I'd have got as good as an expression if I'd taken the time to move the mop.
comment byPau Blasi at 10:56 AM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
I think the mop is necessary to create context. When you see this scene you know instantly that the guy is a cleaner (maybe he's not). Trying to imagine the shot without the mop it becomes a more difficult association to do. The bucket is not enough. Besides, these two objects frame the guy well and define him.
comment bydjib at 06:05 PM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
Awesome conversion.
like the broom.
I'd be interested in knowing how long that kind of processing takes you.
comment byRedshankSnapper at 06:06 PM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
My preference would be to remove the mop/bucket - I think it would be an amazing portrait without them - superb conversion as always.
comment bydjn1 at 06:31 PM (GMT) on 9 December, 2010
djib: I probably spent about half an hour working on this one, maybe a bit less.
RedshankSnapper: I think I agree with Pau on this one. Normally, I would remove any distracting elements from a portrait such as this, but in this case I felt that the context was important.
comment by kayt at 03:44 PM (GMT) on 10 December, 2010
wow. a beaute. one of my faves, David.
comment byJason at 04:39 PM (GMT) on 12 December, 2010
If this shot doesn't sell your tutorials nothing will! Really stunning processing and I actually think the mop handle adds so much to the scene as it really tells his story and perhaps explains his very interesting expression :)
I came across some fantastically photogenic people in Oman: this guy was no exception.
On a technical note: this was an interesting shot to process because there were numerous ways to convert the image to black and white, all of which produced interesting results. In this instance I used two channel mixer layers, one to convert the bucket to black and white (biased towards the red channel to make the bucket darker) and the other to convert the guy and his blue uniform. This second layer was biased towards the blue channel, which a) really brought out the detail in his face and skin, and b) made his uniform very bright. Anyway, I'm waffling, but if you're interested in this technique take a look at either of my black and white tutorials (info about part one here, part two here).
And as always, let me know what you think.
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
image editor
plugins (etc)
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
70mm
f/5.6
1/60
aperture priority
+1
evaluative
100
no
RAW
Camera Raw
Photoshop CS5
none
minor
Excellent conversion, the subject really pops with the light background, I really like the light in on his clothes also.
Excellent B/W conversion. And I too often employ the multiple layered Channel Mixer procedure (biased to enhance different elements in the image) which I learned from the very same Chromasia Tutorials mentioned above. Highly recommended !!
I can't believe how much more detail emerges from his countenance with your processing. Nice. Why did you leave the mop/broom handle? Seems a bit distracting. Just curious.
Very good portrait.
Thanks everyone.
Dan: yep, it's a good technique :)
Carlos: a) because it added context, and b) because reconstructing his right foot would have taken too long ;)
Excellent result with the multiple Channel Mixer procedure. Is it "true" BW? or has little toning? Anyway, besides technique, the key of this shot is the amazing look of the guy. congrats!
Thanks Paul, and it's a true black and white.
I think you have captured a very good portrait, my only criticism would be the mop handle, I would have moved it, it could have been placed strategically so you would still have the context you wished without it encroaching on the subject.
Martin: you're probably right, but the problem with shooting people who aren't used to being photographed is that the longer you take and the more you manipulate the scene the more uncomfortable they become. As such I doubt I'd have got as good as an expression if I'd taken the time to move the mop.
I think the mop is necessary to create context. When you see this scene you know instantly that the guy is a cleaner (maybe he's not). Trying to imagine the shot without the mop it becomes a more difficult association to do. The bucket is not enough. Besides, these two objects frame the guy well and define him.
Awesome conversion.
like the broom.
I'd be interested in knowing how long that kind of processing takes you.
My preference would be to remove the mop/bucket - I think it would be an amazing portrait without them - superb conversion as always.
djib: I probably spent about half an hour working on this one, maybe a bit less.
RedshankSnapper: I think I agree with Pau on this one. Normally, I would remove any distracting elements from a portrait such as this, but in this case I felt that the context was important.
wow. a beaute. one of my faves, David.
If this shot doesn't sell your tutorials nothing will! Really stunning processing and I actually think the mop handle adds so much to the scene as it really tells his story and perhaps explains his very interesting expression :)